Tesoro Savage: By the Numbers

By Dan Serres, Conservation Director

A diverse crowd representing tribal, community, health, faith, local business and environmental groups spoke about how Tesoro-Savage’s proposed crude oil-by-rail project would threaten public safety, nearby communities, and water quality.

This month, Governor Inslee and Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council heard an unprecedented uproar of opposition to the Tesoro Savage oil terminal proposal in Vancouver, North America’s largest proposed oil-by-rail facility. Washington’s Energy Council conducted three public hearings and took written comments to inform its review for the proposed Tesoro terminal. The Energy Council will make a recommendation to Governor Jay Inslee. After receiving the recommendation, Governor Inslee will make the final decision to deny or approve the terminal. To date, here is what is proposed and a summary of the outpouring of opposition to this project.

I do not know how to add to the eloquence, the heartfulness, the anguish of the thousands of people
whom you have heard from. And I still want to be among their numbers. They are the concerned citizens
that our democracy depends on to guide you in your role as our representatives. The profits are minimal, the
risks great. Tesoro-Savage is not a home grown enterprise. And it’s record is tarnished, corrupted. Our “home”
is this Earth. Please do your work to protect it, and even rebalance the horrid imbalance, the outcome of burning
fossil fuels, that is killing us. Yes, if “we” are the animals, if “we” are the trees, if “we” are the islanders, we are dying. Please
help us.

Please do not allow Tesoro Savage to build a terminal in Vancouver. I will be forced to leave a city I love because of health and safety reasons. Please do not allow them to destroy our wonderful city.

In May 2017, Hanford made national news when a tunnel containing highly radioactive waste partially collapsed, triggering a shelter-in-place order for nearby workers and prompting widespread concerns about Hanford’s aging nuclear infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Energy (Energy) filled the tunnel with grout, a form of cement. Now, Energy seeks to fill a second, larger tunnel with grout. if left in place, the pollution in the tunnels—known as the PUREX tunnels—could pose long-term risks to soils, groundwater, and the Columbia River.

PGE wants to increase smog-forming pollution at its Carty Generating Station, a 450 MW fracked gas-fired power plant. The plant began operating in 2016. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) new draft air pollution permit would allow the Carty Generating Station to emit 800% more volatile organic compounds, a key component of low-level ozone (smog) formation. Join Riverkeeper urging DEQ to hold PGE to its current pollution limits, and not to open the door to more pollution from PGE’s new fracked gas power plant. ACT NOW!